The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-21
THE PROCEEDINGS In DETAIL.
THE SENATE.


Showing of Democratic Unfairness.
At the opening Of the Senate, yesterday,
prayer was offered by Rev. A. w. Lamport, or
the Central-avenue nj. q. Church.
Mr. Fowler, from the special committee
thereon, recommended payment of witness fees
in contested election
Mr.. Huston said he had noticed for several
days past bills have been presented for expenses
of witnesses coming here to testify IN contested
cases brought against members of the minority
on this floor. Some of these witnesses, sum-
moned by sitting mem bers, reached here at the
earliest possible moment but were not allowed
to testify when they came. The tax payers
were not willing to bear this burden, when it is
undeniabe that political expediency alone has
demanded the examination of many OF these
cases by the election committee. The contestee
in this case informed him that these witnesses
were sent for by himself in defense of himself
and his right TO his seat, and it was promised
him that these witnesses should be heard. but
when these witnesses reached here the commit
tee refused to hear them. Where political
| emergency demands that there shall trumped-
| up cases. that is wrong. He was willing to al
low this bill. but in the future would oppose al
| lowing bills of the character mentioned.
Mr. DeMotte understood the contestor made
| no claim to the seat, but, the contrary, came
| here and said to many members that he had no
| intention to contest the seat, and ntimated that
under no circumstances would he occupy ii.
| But these witnesses should be paid.
| Mr.. Howard of Decatur-He made no such
| committee has said any such statement was
made The report was cencurred in.
On motion by Mr. Fowler, his joint resolution
| proposing an amendment to the Constitution.
striking therefrom the word white" where it
| refers to service in the militia. was made spe-
| cial order for tomorrow at 1890 o'clock.
On motion by Mr.. Davis, all joint resolutions
before the Senate proposing amendments to the
| Constitution were included in the special order.
| On the further motion of Mr.. Winter, the ju-
| dietary committee instructed to report a
resolution agreeing to said joint resolutions on
| the part of the Senane.
Mr.. Johnson offered a resolution that in all
| cases contested elections reported from the
committee on elections, a fair and reasonable op-
| portunity shall be offered to members to express
| their views and discuss the report before final
| action. After some discussion, it was made the
special order for 2 o'clock.
Bills were introduced:
By Mr. Harness: To authorize towns and
cities to make regulations for tne supply of nat
ural gas which was referred to committee
By Mr.. Schloss: resolution requesting the
superintendent of Public Instruction to report
the revenues from certain funds.
By Mr.. Barrett: To amend Sec. 1888 of the Re
vised Statutes.
Afternoon Session.
The resolution of Senator johnson coming NJ
as the special order, Mr.. Fowler said he very
| much favored discussion of these vital questions
in the future, and saw no harm in the resolution
inasmuch as it in way affects the moving O.
the previous question.
The President pro tenn. gave notice that il
the event of the passage of the resolution, HI
would construe it as stated by the mover in any
event.
Mr.. Sellers favored changing the Senate rule
so as to give fair and impartial hearing to eacl
ana every contested election case, but wanted Il
reach that end in the manner prescribed in tn
rules of the Senate.
Mr.. Bailey thought unless the resolution wa
made concurrent it should be referred to tn
committee rules.
Mr.. DeMotte not informed that the Hons
of Representatives had denied any confession tn
right to be heard; while the Senate not only de
MED any chance to be heard but acted On tn
!, majority report at once, and without hearn
, the minority.
, Mr. Johnson-The House did not turn out
, member with stigma upon his character with
out giving opportunity to be heard 10 defense
| Mr. Bailey asserted that in the contested cas-
from the Lawrence and Jackson senatorial dis
{ trict, there defense desired intende
t to be made--it was simply cheap capital.
{ ! Mr.. johnson raised the point of order that th
8 Senator was impugning motives.
9 A motion to lay the resolution on the tabl
{ was defeated by yeas, II; nays, 33.
. Mr.. Mcdonald moved to amend by providin
that the resolution shall not reflect the actio
i of the Senate or conflict with the rules. Adopted